My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children

cake is

knife and

of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

which happened to be a little girl

the ‘Happy

close her eyes and

must blow out

indicate to Julian that there was no need

had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

to say it in your heart and not

look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give

say thank you!” their parents

Just like that, the strangers in the

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for

building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As

might as well pretend it never existed for now.

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

turned and headed toward the

her apartment and about to close the

door was propped

her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

on business? she

sideways into the house and shut the door before

“I see you’ve been getting along

two steps

stalked toward her as he pulled

sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

approached her, forcing her back inch

Rachel had no idea what she did

she staggered after him and was